When Nomusa came out of the hut, she found Sikhulumi talking to a Pygmy who knew something of the Zulu language. He was asking Sikhulumi if he had any salt.
Sikhulumi shook his head regretfully. “If we come next year, we will surely bring some,” he promised.
The Pygmy seemed delighted with Nomusa. He asked her, “Are you married?”
Nomusa giggled. “No, I am only ten years old.”
The man looked surprised. He came close to Nomusa and measured himself against her. He was only a tiny bit taller than she was. As he stood there Nomusa looked with interest at a necklace he wore. As she looked, she realized what it was. Now she knew why the Pygmies saved the elephant’s eyelashes.
The Pygmy saw her interest in the elephant-hair necklace and quickly took it off and offered it to her. “Bring good luck,” he said.
Nomusa looked at Sikhulumi.
“Take it,” he advised. “You will have something very unusual to show your brothers and sisters.”
Sikhulumi turned to the Pygmy. “How do your people kill elephants?”